Halo Wars 2 PC: US Physical Release Cancelled

Halo Wars 2 is an upcoming real-time strategy game. 343 Industries, together with Creative Assembly, developed the game. It will be published by Microsoft Studios this coming February 21 for Windows PC as well as Xbox One. However, the case may not be the same with the US launch, as the physical release for the States may have been cancelled.

Storyline

Halo Wars 2 is set in a science fiction world in the famous Halo series. The game specifically occurs in the year 2559. The humans will return to the United Nation Space Command (UNSC) warship named Spirit of Fire. The game will include a new species of alien called the Banished.

In Halo Wars 2, players control army members in the battlefield. The game has two controllable factions: one is the UNSC, the human military, and the other is the Banished, the new alien faction. These factions have leader units. They are both playable.

There are 13 missions in the campaign mode of the game. The game also has plenty of multiplayer modes that can be played online with a maximum of 6 players. There is a mode called Deathmatch wherein a player fights for his life until only one player lives. Stronghold and Domination feature multiplayer modes. They aim to control bases in the map.

Blitz, on the other hand, is a mode that seeks to change base-building and resource management with a card-and-deck mechanic for deployment of units. The card-and-deck mechanic works in a way where players create decks from card packs gained in the campaign mode and in daily challenges. A card has a unit that may be deployed.

Cancellation of Physical Release in the US

The physical release of the game is indeed cancelled for US. On the positive side, the digital version will still be released in the US. 343 Industries announced the news on Halo Waypoint.

Brian Jarrard, the community manager in the said website said that they are partnering with THQ Nordic, an Austrian video game publisher, for the physical version of the game on Windows 10 PC. However, Microsoft decided that it would focus on the release of the physical version in Europe only. THQ Nordic is the one to ensure that this sudden shift will be done smoothly for interested consumers.

Jarrard assures that the game will still be released digitally worldwide through the Windows Store. He asked for an apology from the fans due to the change of mind. He also gave thanks to everyone for their support.